Threatened Species Nomination Form - For adding or changing
the category of a native species in the list of threatened species
under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation
Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
2011 Assessment Period
Nominator details
Note: Nominator details are subject to the provision of the Privacy Act 1988 and will not be divulged to
third parties if advice regarding the nomination is sought from such parties.
1. Full name
2. Body, organisation or company name (if applicable)
3. Contact details
Email:
Phone:
Fax:
Postal address:
4. Declaration: I declare that the information in this nomination and its attachments is true
and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Signed (If available, please attach an electronic signature when submitting by email):
5. Date signed:
Nominated species - summary of eligibility
1. Name of species (or subspecies)
2. Category for which the species is nominated under the EPBC Act
Current listing category
Proposed listing category
Extinct
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Extinct in the wild
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Conservation dependent
Conservation dependent
Unlisted
3. Criteria under which the species is eligible for listing
For a species nominated as critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable, identify which of the
eligibility criteria it meets (one or more) from the list below. Please note that the information you
provide in this nomination form should support the criteria you select.
For further details on the criteria, please refer to the Threatened Species Scientific Committee
guidelines attached to this form.
 Criterion 1 - It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to undergo in the
Form current as of November 2010
1
immediate future a very severe, severe or substantial reduction in numbers.
 Criterion 2 - Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species and is very
restricted, restricted or limited.
 Criterion 3 - The estimated total number of mature individuals is limited to a particular degree and:


(a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at a particular rate; or
(b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic distribution is
precarious for its survival.
Criterion 4 - The estimated total number of mature individuals is extremely low, very low or low.
Criterion 5 - Probability of extinction in the wild.
For species nominated as conservation dependent, identify which criterion the species meets (either
criterion 1 or criterion 2).
 Criterion 1 - The species is the focus of a specific conservation program, the cessation of which
would result in the species becoming vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered; or
 Criterion 2:
 The species is a species of fish; and
 The species is the focus of a plan of management that provides for management actions necessary
to stop the decline of, and support the recovery of, the species so that its chances of long term
survival in nature are maximised; and
 The plan of management is in force under a law of the Commonwealth or of a State or Territory;
and
 Cessation of the plan of management would adversely affect the conservation status of the species.
Important notes for completing this form

Complete the form as far as possible. It is important for the Threatened Species Scientific
Committee to have comprehensive information and the best case on which to judge a species’
eligibility against the EPBC Act criteria for listing (Attachment A).

To ensure you have the most up to date information, it is recommended that you contact the
relevant Natural Resource Management authority. For details see the Caring for Our Country
website: www.nrm.gov.au.

Nominations that do not meet the EPBC Regulations will not proceed. Division 7.2 of the EPBC
Regulations 2000 (www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/index.html) specifies the required
information. Note that, if after a search, relevant information is not available, please state this
under the relevant question in the nomination form (as noted under sub-regulation 7.04(3)).

Keep in mind that the purpose of the questions is to help identify why the species is eligible for
listing in the nominated conservation category.

Subspecies (or other taxa lower than the species level) may be nominated, but it is important to
provide information on the full national range of the species to support the claims.

The questions are separated into themes, which indirectly or directly relate to the criteria for
listing. The Committee provides the following general description of what kind of information
informs its judgements against the EPBC Act criteria for listing (Attachment A).

If the species is considered to be affected by climate change, please refer to the Guidelines for
assessing climate change as a threat to native species (Attachment B) prior to completing the
nomination form.

For all facts and all information presented - identify your references and sources of information.
Document the reasons and supportive data. Indicate the quality of facts/information and any
uncertainty in the information. For example was it based on a peer-reviewed research
publication or anecdote; or on observed data, an inference/extrapolation from the data, or a
reasonable premise not yet supported by hard data.

Personal communications - The opinion of appropriate scientific experts may also be cited (with
their approval) in support of a nomination. If this is done the names of the experts, their
qualifications and full contact details must also be provided at the end of this nomination.

Confidential material – Identify any confidential material and explain the sensitivity.

Tables – Can be included at the end of the form or prepared as separate electronic documents
included as appendixes or attachments. Refer to tables in the relevant area of the text.
 Maps - If maps cannot be supplied electronically, please provide them in hardcopy.
Cross-reference relevant areas of the nomination form where needed.
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How to lodge your nomination
Completed nominations may be lodged either:
1. by email to: epbc.nominations@environment.gov.au, or
2. by mail to: The Director
Species Listing Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Further information
The Threatened Species Scientific Committee has developed guidelines to assist nominators. The
guidelines are attached to this form. They include the statutory criteria for the ‘critically endangered’,
‘endangered’ and ‘vulnerable’ categories at Part A. Indicative thresholds, which may be used by the
Committee to assess whether a species is eligible for listing against the criteria prescribed by the EPBC
Regulations, are at Part B. It should be noted that the Committee does not apply these thresholds
strictly, but has regard to them when making judgments about species in terms of their biological
contexts, and on a case-by-case basis.
More detailed information on all categories for threatened species can be found in Section 179 of the
EPBC Act and the statutory criteria can be found in Division 7.1 of the EPBC Regulations 2000. These
are available at: www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/index.html
For questions regarding nominations contact:
The Director
Species Listing Section
Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Telephone (02) 6274 2238
Fax (02) 6274 2214
Form current as of November 2010
3
Section 1 - Legal Status, Distribution, Biological, Ecological
Conservation Theme
1. Not applicable - there is no
N/A
conservation theme for the 2011
assessment period.
Taxonomy
2. What are the currently
accepted scientific and common
name/s for the species (please
include Indigenous names, where
known)?
Note any other scientific names that
have been used recently. Note the
species authority and the Order and
Family to which the species belongs
(Family name alone is sufficient for
plants, however, both Order and
Family name are required for
insects).
3. Is this species conventionally
accepted? If not, explain why. Is
there any controversy about the
taxonomy?
4. If the species is NOT
conventionally accepted, please
provide:
(i) a taxonomic description of the
species in a form suitable for publication
in conventional scientific literature; OR
(ii) evidence that a scientific institution
has a specimen of the species and a
written statement signed by a person
who has relevant taxonomic expertise
(has worked, or is a published author,
on the class of species nominated), that
the person thinks the species is a new
species.
5. Is this species taxonomically
distinct (Taxonomic distinctiveness
– a measure of how unique a
species is relative to other species)?
Legal Status
6. What is the species’ current
conservation status under
Australian and State/Territory
Government legislation?
7. Does the species have specific
protection (e.g. listed on an annex
or appendix) under other legislation
or intergovernmental
arrangements, e.g. Convention on
International Trade in Endangered
Fauna and Flora (CITES),
Convention on Migratory Species
(CMS).
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Description
8. Give a brief description of the
species’ appearance, including size
and/or weight, and sex and age
variation if appropriate; social
structure and dispersion (e.g.
solitary/clumped/flocks).
9. Give a brief description of the
species’ ecological role (for
example, is it a ‘keystone’ or
‘foundation’ species, does it play a
role in processes such as seed
dispersal or pollination).
Australian Distribution
10. Describe the species’ current
and past distribution in the
Australian distribution and, if
available, attach a maps noting the
source and the datasets used to
create these.
11. What is the extent of
occurrence (in km2) for the
species (described in Attachment
A); explain how it was calculated
and provide information on data
sources.
a.
b.
c.
What is the current extent of
occurrence?
What data are there to indicate
past declines in extent of
occurrence (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over the
past 10 years or 3 generations
whichever is longer)?
What data are there to indicate
future changes in extent of
occurrence (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over 10
years or 3 generations
whichever is longer (up to a
maximum of 100 years in the
future) where the time period is
a continuous period that may
include a component of the
past)?
12. What is the area of
occupancy (in km2) for the species
(described in Attachment A);
explain how it was calculated and
provide information on data sources
a.
b.
What is the current area of
occupancy?
What data are there to indicate
past declines in area of
occupancy (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over the
past 10 years or 3 generations
whichever is longer)?
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c.
What data are there to indicate
future changes in area of
occupancy (if available, include
data that indicates the
percentage decline over 10
years or 3 generations
whichever is longer (up to a
maximum of 100 years in the
future) where the time period is
a continuous period that may
include a component of the
past)?
13. How many natural locations
do you consider the species occurs
in and why? Where are these
located? Provide latitude, longitude,
map datum and location name,
where available, in an attached
table.
The term 'location' defines a
geographically or ecologically distinct
area.
14. Give locations of other
populations: captive/propagated
populations; populations recently
re-introduced to the wild; and sites
for proposed population reintroductions. Note if these sites
have been identified in recovery
plans. Provide latitude, longitude,
map datum and location name,
where available, in an attached
table.
15. Is the species’ distribution
severely fragmented? What is the
cause of this fragmentation?
Describe any biological, geographic,
human-induced or other barriers
causing this species’ populations to
be fragmented.
Severely fragmented refers to the
situation in which increased extinction
risk to the taxon results from most
individuals being found in small and
relatively isolated subpopulations (in
certain circumstances this may be
inferred from habitat information).
These small subpopulations may go
extinct, with a reduced probability of
recolonisation.
16. Departmental Use Only:
Global Distribution
17. Describe the species’ global
distribution.
18. Give an overview of the global
population’s size, trends, threats
and security of the species outside
Australia.
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19. Explain the relationship
between the Australian population
and the global population,
including:
a.
b.
c.
What percentage of the global
population occurs in Australia;
Is the Australian population
distinct, geographically
separate or does part or all of
the population move in/out of
Australia’s jurisdiction (give an
overview; details in Movements
section);
Do global threats affect the
Australian population?
Surveys and Monitoring
20. Has the species been
reasonably well surveyed?
Provide an overview of surveys to date
and the likelihood of the species’ its
current known distribution and/or
population size being its actual
distribution and/or population size.
Include references documenting the
current known distribution and location
records and survey methodology where
available.
21. For species nominated as
extinct or extinct in the wild, please
provide details of the most recent
known collection, or authenticated
sighting of the species, and
whether additional populations are
likely to exist and the basis for this
assertion. Provide latitude,
longitude, map datum and location
name, where available.
22. Is there an ongoing
monitoring programme? If so,
please describe the extent and
length of the programme.
Life Cycle and Population
23. What is the species’ total
population size in terms of number
of mature individuals? How were
population estimates derived and
are they reliable? Are there other
useful measures of population size
and what are they?
In the absence of figures, terms such as
common, abundant, scarce can be of value.
24. Does the species occur in a
number of smaller populations?
How many? For each population
give the locality, numbers and
trends in numbers and tenure of
land (include extinct populations).
Can these be considered to be
subpopulations and why?
Subpopulations are defined as
geographically or otherwise distinct groups in
the population between which there is little
demographic or genetic exchange.
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25. Provide details on ages of the
following:
a. sexual maturity;
b. life expectancy;
c. natural mortality.
26. Reproduction
For plants: When does the species
flower and set fruit? What
conditions are needed for this?
What is the pollinating mechanism?
If the species is capable of
vegetative reproduction, a
description of how this occurs, the
conditions needed and when. Does
the species require a disturbance
regime (e.g. fire, cleared ground) in
order to reproduce?
For animals: provide overview of
breeding system and of breeding
success, including: when does it
breed; what conditions are needed
for breeding; are there any
breeding behaviours that may make
it vulnerable to a threatening
process?
27. What is the population trend
for the entire species?
a.
b.
What data are there to indicate
past decline in size (if
available, include data on rate
of decline over past 10 years or
3 generations whichever is
longer)?
What data are there to indicate
future changes in size (if
available, include data which
will indicate the percentage of
decline over 10 years or 3
generations whichever in longer
(up to a maximum of 100 years
in the future) where the time
period is a continuous period
that may include a component
of the past)?
28. Does the species undergo
extreme natural fluctuations in
population numbers, extent of
occurrence or area of occupancy?
To what extent and why?
Extreme fluctuations can be said to occur
in a number of taxa when population size or
distribution area varies widely, rapidly and
frequently, typically with a variation greater
than one order of magnitude (i.e. a tenfold
increase or decrease).
29. What is the generation
length and how it is calculated?
Generation length is the average age of
parents of the current cohort (i.e. newborn
individuals in the population). Generation length
therefore reflects the turnover rate of breeding
individuals in a population. Generation length is
greater than the age at first breeding and less
than the age of the oldest breeding individual,
except in taxa that breed only once. Where
generation length varies under threat, the more
natural, i.e. pre-disturbance, generation length
should be used.
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30. Identify important
populations necessary for the
species’ long-term survival and
recovery? This may include: key
breeding populations, those near the
edge of the species’ range or those
needed to maintain genetic diversity.
31. Describe any cross-breeding
with other species in the wild,
indicating how frequently and where
this occurs.
32. Departmental Use only:
Populations In Reserve
33. Which populations are in
reserve systems? Which of these
are actively managed for this
species? Give details.
Habitat
34. Describe the species’ habitat
(e.g. aspect, topography, substrate,
climate, forest type, associated
species, sympatric species). If the
species uses different habitats for
different activities (e.g. breeding,
feeding, roosting, dispersing,
basking), then describe each
habitat.
35. Does the species use refuge
habitat, e.g. in times of fire,
drought or flood? Describe this
habitat.
36. Is the extent or quality of the
species’ habitat in decline? If the
species uses different habitats,
specify which of these are in
decline.
37. Is the species part of, or does
it rely on, a listed threatened
ecological community? Is it
associated with any other listed
threatened species?
Feeding
38. Summarize the species’ food
items or sources and
timing/seasonality.
39. Briefly describe the species’
feeding behaviours, including
those that may make the species
vulnerable to a threatening process.
Movement Patterns (fauna species only)
40. Describe any relevant daily
and seasonal pattern of
movement for the species, or
other irregular patterns of
movement, including relevant
arrival/departure dates if migratory.
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41. Give details of the species’
home ranges/territories.
Survey Guidelines
42. Give details of the
distinctiveness and detectability
of the species.
43. Describe methods for
detecting species including when
to conduct surveys (e.g. season,
time of day, weather conditions);
length, intensity and pattern of
search effort; and limitations and
expert acceptance; recommended
methods; survey-effort guide.
Section 2 - Threats and Threat Abatement
Threats
44. Identify past, current and
future threats, to the species
indicating whether they are actual
or potential. For each threat,
describe:
a.
b.
c.
d.
how and where it impacts on
this species;
what its effect has been so far
(indicate whether it is known or
suspected; present supporting
information/research; does it
only affect certain populations);
what is its expected effect in
the future (is there supporting
research/information; is the
threat only suspected; does it
only affect certain populations);
what is the relative
importance or magnitude of
the threat to the species.
45. If not included above, identify
catastrophic threats, i.e. threats
with a low predictability that are
likely to severely affect the species.
Identify the threat, explain its likely
impact and indicate the likelihood of
it occurring (e.g. a drought/cyclone
in the area every 100 years).
46. Identify and explain any
additional biological
characteristics particular to the
species that are threatening to its
survival (e.g. low genetic diversity)?
47. Identify and explain any
quantitative measures or
models that address the probability
of the species’ extinction in the wild
over a particular timeframe.
48. Is there other information
that relates to the survival of this
species that you would like to
address?
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Threat Abatement and Recovery
49. Give an overview of how
broad-scale threats are being
abated/could be abated and other
recovery actions underway/
proposed. Identify who is
undertaking these activities and
how successful the activities have
been to date.
50. For species nominated as
extinct in the wild, provide details
of the locations in which the
species occurs in captivity and
the level of human intervention
required to sustain the species.
Mitigation Approach
51. Describe any mitigation
measures or approaches that
have been developed specifically for
the species at identified locations.
Identify who is undertaking these
activities and how successful the
activities have been to date.
52. Departmental use only:
Major Studies
53. Identify major studies on the
species that might relate to its
taxonomy or management.
Management Documentation
54. Identify key management
documentation available for the
species, e.g. recovery plans,
conservation plans, threat
abatement plans.
55. Departmental use only:
Section 3 — Indigenous Cultural Significance
56. Is the species known to have
Indigenous cultural significance to
groups within the Australian
jurisdiction and, if so, to which
Indigenous groups? Are you able to
provide information on the nature
of this significance?
Form current as of November 2010
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Section 4 – References and Reviewers
Notes:
 The opinion of appropriate scientific experts may be cited (with their approval) in support of a
nomination. If this is done the names of the experts, their qualifications and full contact details
must also be provided in the reference list below.
 Please provide copies of key documentation/references used in the nomination
57. Reference list
58. Has this document been reviewed and/or have relevant experts been consulted? If so, indicate by
whom (including current professional position).
Form current as of November 2010
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Attachment A: Guidelines for Assessing the
Conservation Status of Native Species according
to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and EPBC
Regulations 2000
Threatened Species Scientific Committee
Part A
Criteria for listing species under the Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and Environment Protection
and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000
Part B
Indicative thresholds that may be used by the Committee to
judge the subjective terms provided by the criteria for listing
Part C
Area of occupancy and extent of occurrence
Criteria for listing species
Part A – Criteria for listing species under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000
For section 179 of the EPBC Act (which provides general eligibility for inclusion in a category of the list of threatened species), a native species is in the
critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable category if it meets any of the criteria for the category mentioned in the following table:
Criterion
It has undergone, is suspected to have undergone or is likely to
undergo in the immediate future:
Critically Endangered
a very severe reduction in
numbers
Category
Endangered
a severe reduction in
numbers
2
Its geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the
species and is:
very restricted
restricted
limited
3
The estimated total number of mature individuals is:
and either of (a) or (b) is true:
(a) evidence suggests that the number will continue to decline at:
or
(b) the number is likely to continue to decline and its geographic
distribution is:
very low
low
limited
a very high rate
a high rate
a substantial rate
precarious for its survival
precarious for its survival
precarious for its survival
4
The estimated total number of mature individuals is:
extremely low
very low
low
5
The probability of its extinction in the wild is at least:
50% in the immediate
future
20% in the near future
10% in the medium-term
future
1
Vulnerable
a substantial reduction in
numbers
These criteria define situations in which a risk of extinction in the wild, some time in the future, is deemed to exist for a species (for the purposes of section 179
of the EPBC Act). It is not necessary to identify a quantitative risk of extinction, but it is important to ensure that judgements about the criteria (for example,
whether a reduction in numbers represents a severe decline), are made in the context of risk of extinction. For example, the Committee’s consideration of
whether a reduction in numbers of a species is ‘severe’ takes into account the relationship between the reduction in numbers and the biological and other factors
that are relevant to the species’ risk of extinction in the wild (or, alternatively, the factors relevant to the species’ prospects of survival in the wild).
The table above includes hyperlinks that, when clicked, will take you to indicative thresholds (Part B) that may be used by the Committee to judge the subjective
terms given above. While these are modified from the “IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version 3.1, 2001”, it should be noted that the Committee does
not strictly apply these, but has regard to them when making judgments about species in terms of their biological contexts, and on a case-by-case basis.
Criteria for listing species
Part B – Indicative thresholds that may be used by the Committee to judge the subjective terms provided by the
criteria for listing (as presented at Part A of these guidelines)
When assessing a species’ eligibility against the listing criteria (see Part A), the Committee exercises its judgement to give practical meaning to the subjective
terms of the criteria. The Committee does this by considering the information provided to it via the nomination form in the context of the species’ biology and
relevant ecological factors, and having regard to the degree of complexity and uncertainty associated with that context and the information provided.
The Committee is also informed by, but not bound by, indicative thresholds, which have been adapted from “IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria Version
3.1, 2001”. When considering whether to use these thresholds, the Committee judges whether they are appropriate to the species in question. For example, a
relatively long-lived species with slow reproduction and relative population stability (such as most mammals) might be more impacted by, for example, a 30%
decline in numbers than might a relatively short-lived species with fast reproduction and naturally fluctuating populations (such as most insects). This
consideration of biological attributes is placed in the context of matters such as the relative population size so as to judge whether, for the species in question, a
decline is substantial, severe or very severe, for the purposes of the criteria for listing.
When considering thresholds for assessing commercially harvested marine fish, the Committee refers to the Commonwealth Government Harvest Strategy
Policy. This policy allows that declines of up to 60% (from pre-fishing biomass levels) are acceptable for commercially harvested fish species where depletion is
a managed outcome. Variations in the extent of acceptable decline depend on the biology of the individual species. The Committee is informed, but not bound,
by a series of biological reference trigger points (commonly referred to as BLIM and BTARG) provided in the policy for management intervention for species
that decline below 60% of their pre-fishing biomass. These interventions include listing assessments.
Criterion One
EPBC
Matters considered
Reduction in numbers (based on any of A1 – A4)
A1. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction over the last 10 years or
three generations, whichever is the longer, where the causes of the reduction are clearly
reversible AND understood AND ceased, based on (and specifying) any of the following:
(a) direct observation
(b) an index of abundance appropriate to the taxon
(c) a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat
(d) actual or potential levels of exploitation
(e) the effects of introduced taxa, hybridization, pathogens, pollutants, competitors or parasites.
A2. An observed, estimated, inferred or suspected population size reduction over the last 10 years or
three generations, whichever is the longer, where the reduction or its causes may not have
ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be reversible, based on (and specifying) any of
(a) to (e) under A1.
A3. A population size reduction, projected or suspected to be met within the next 10 years or three
generations, whichever is the longer (up to a maximum of 100 years), based on (and specifying)
any of (b) to (e) under A1.
A4. An observed, estimated, inferred, projected or suspected population size reduction over any 10
year or three generation period, whichever is longer (up to a maximum of 100 years in the
future), where the time period must include both the past and the future, and where the
reduction or its causes may not have ceased OR may not be understood OR may not be
reversible, based on (and specifying) any of (a) to (e) under A1.
Indicative Thresholds
Very severe
Severe
Substantial
90%
70%
50%
80%
50%
30%
80%
50%
30%
80%
50%
30%
Indicative thresholds
Criterion Two
EPBC
Matters considered
Geographic distribution (based on either of B1 or B2)
B1. Extent of occurrence estimated to be less than
B2. Area of occupancy estimated to be less than
Geographic distribution is precarious for the survival of the species, (based on at least two of a –
c)
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location.
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals.
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations
(iv) number of mature individuals
Criterion Three
Estimated total number of mature individuals
And either of (A) or (B) is true
(A) Rate of continued decline
OR
(B) Continued decline and geographic distribution is precarious (based on at least two of a – c):
a. Severely fragmented or known to exist at a limited location.
b. Continuing decline, observed, inferred or projected, in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) area, extent and/or quality of habitat
(iv) number of locations or subpopulations
(v) number of mature individuals.
c. Extreme fluctuations in any of the following:
(i) extent of occurrence
(ii) area of occupancy
(iii) number of locations or subpopulations
(iv) number of mature individuals
Indicative Thresholds
Very restricted
Restricted
Limited
100 km2
5,000 km2
20,000 km2
10 km2
500 km2
2,000 km2
Precariousness is judged on a case-by-case
basis, having regard to the degree of threat
operating on the species
Very low
<250
Very high
25% in 3 years
or 1 generation
(up to 100
years),
whichever is
longer
Low
Limited
<2,500
<10,000
High
Substantial
20% in 5
10% in 10
years or 2
years or 3
generations
generations
(up to 100
(up to 100
years),
years),
whichever is
whichever is
longer
longer
Precariousness is judged on a case-by-case
basis, having regard to the degree of threat
operating on the species
Indicative thresholds
Criterion Four
Estimated total number of mature individuals, based on the following:
a. Number of mature individuals only
Criterion Five
Probability of extinction in the wild within a period, based on the following:
a. Quantitative analysis
(Note: probability must be at least 50% for critically endangered, 20% for endangered, 10% for
vulnerable)
Extremely low
< 50
Very low
< 250
Low
< 1,000
Immediate
future
10 years or
three
generations,
whichever is the
longer (up to a
maximum of
100 years)
Near future
Mediumterm future
Within 100
years
20 years or
five
generations,
whichever is
the longer
(up to a
maximum of
100 years)
Indicative thresholds
Part C – Area of occupancy and extent of occurrence
Extent of occurrence
Extent of occurrence is defined as the area contained within the shortest continuous imaginary boundary
which can be drawn to encompass all the known, inferred or projected sites of present occurrence of a
taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy (see Figure 1). This measure may exclude discontinuities or
disjunctions within the overall distributions of taxa (e.g. large areas of obviously unsuitable habitat, see
'area of occupancy' below). Extent of occurrence can often be measured by a minimum convex polygon
(the smallest polygon in which no internal angle exceeds 180 degrees and which contains all the sites of
occurrence).
Area of occupancy
Area of occupancy is defined as the area within its 'extent of occurrence' (see above) which is occupied by
a taxon, excluding cases of vagrancy. The measure reflects the fact that a taxon will not usually occur
throughout the area of its extent of occurrence, which may contain unsuitable or unoccupied habitats. In
some cases (e.g. irreplaceable colonial nesting sites, crucial feeding sites for migratory taxa) the area of
occupancy is the smallest area essential at any stage to the survival of existing populations of a taxon.
The size of the area of occupancy will be a function of the scale at which it is measured, and should be at
a scale appropriate to relevant biological aspects of the taxon, the nature of threats and the available
data. To avoid inconsistencies and bias in assessments caused by estimating area of occupancy at
different scales, it may be necessary to standardize estimates by applying a scale-correction factor. It is
difficult to give strict guidance on how standardization should be done because different types of taxa
have different scale-area relationships.
Figure 1. Two examples of the
distinction between extent of
occurrence and area of occupancy. (A)
is the spatial distribution of known,
inferred or projected sites of present
occurrence. (B) shows one possible
boundary to the extent of occurrence,
which is the measured area within this
boundary. (C) shows one measure of
area of occupancy which can be
achieved by the sum of the occupied
grid squares.
Area of occupancy
Attachment B: Guidelines for assessing climate change
as a threat to native species
Threatened Species Scientific Committee
Attachment B: Guidelines for assessing climate change as a threat to native species
Anthropogenic climate change is occurring at an unprecedented rate and is likely to place greater
climate stresses on species than has occurred for many thousands of years.
All species will be affected by climate change to a greater or lesser degree. Species will respond to
these stresses in a range of ways: they may remain in areas where they are able to tolerate or adapt
to conditions; move to more suitable habitats where possible; or die out.
These guidelines are to assist you in determining whether the important threat posed by climate
change has had, is having, or will be an important threat to the nominated species’ and will increase
the species’ vulnerability to extinction in the immediate to medium term future (i.e. 10 to 50 years).
A species’ vulnerability to climate change will depend on a combination of biological traits and
microhabitat use and behaviour, as well as its degree of exposure to climate change.
If climate change is an important threat to the nominated species it is important that you provide
referenced information on exactly how climate change might significantly increase the nominated
species’ vulnerability to extinction.
Please cite the climate change references that you use to argue for significant climate change impact
the nominated species over the immediate to medium term time frame (i.e. 10 to 50 years).
A species’ sensitivity to change is reflected in its life history characteristics and can be assessed from
information provided in the following questions on the nomination form: 10, 15, 23, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31,
34, 35, 37–41 and 46–48.
References:
Hobday AJ, Okey TA, Poloczanska ES, Kunz TJ, and Ricardson AJ (eds) (2006). Impacts of climate change on Australian
marine life. Report to the Australian Grenhouse Office, Canberra, Australia.
http://www.australiancoralreefsociety.org/pdf/Hobday%20et%20al%202006.pdf
Steffen W, Burbidge A, Hughes L, Kitching R, Lindenmayer D, Musgrave W, Stafford Smith M & Werner P (2009).
Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change. CSIRO Publishing.
Note: the following summary is available online.
Steffen W, Burbidge A, Hughes L, Kitching R, Lindenmayer D, Musgrave W, Stafford Smith M & Werner P 2009.
Australia's Biodiversity and Climate Change, Technical Synthesis. Technical synthesis of a report to the Natural
Resource Management Ministerial Council. Department of Climate Change. Commonwealth of Australia.
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/publications/biodiversity/biodiversity-climatechange.aspx
Area of occupancy